Interpreting the Times
Many are distraught over the recent events occurring on the capitol of the United States of America in the midst of a world wide pandemic.
In my prayer time, God reminded me that as it is in the natural realm, so it is in the spiritual realm. There are many believers who are not aware of nor are they operating out of the spiritual realm; as a result, their unawareness of what happens in the spiritual realm is crippling them from overcoming in the natural realm.
Ephesians 6:12 teaches us that our battle is not with a fleshly being. We are not at war with people, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This means we are in a spiritual battle. One of the tactics of the enemy is to get us distracted with what we see in the natural that we forget about what is happening in the spirit. We get so caught up in people and actions, that we forget about the demonic spirits operating behind the scenes. Satan cannot be seen, and his fallen angels are not visible but they operate through the behavior of man in the natural realm.
For those who struggle to see the unseen world, God is gracious enough to reveal it through the events occurring in the natural realm. Just as President Trump has built a following of people with their own agendas, so Satan has a following of evil spirits that have been given demonic assignments to blind the eyes of God’s chosen people, to prevent the purpose and plans of God from prevailing. Each one has a name and they behave according to their assignment. Some are called rebellion, hate, anger, confusion, deceit. Others are named pride, self righteousness, greed, terror, violence, lust, unforgiveness. They know that they have only a short period of time to have their way in this earth realm, so they are relentless in pursuing their targets (you and I) and completing their assignments; to get us to turn away from God.
There are legions of demonic spirits called sickness (currently COVID-19) and death that have been released upon the Earth by the hand of Satan with an agenda to incite fear, terror, and unbelief in the people of God; to cause us to get weary in well doing, to faint, to abandon the faith, to walk away from our calling, to curse God.
I know this may be contrary to popular belief but it can also be interpreted in uncovering the current state of the church; full of rebellion, greed, fear, doubt, racism, pride, self righteousness, lust, deceit and a falling away of sound doctrine. Yes, I said it! The truth shall set us free. Jesus never addressed the world because He knew that the unbelievers were blinded by the god of this age. (2 Corinthians 4:4) He always addresses the church.
If we are not careful we can misinterpret the times and miss the war in the spirit. Now is not a time to be fearful. Now is not a time to shrink back. Now is not a time to be distracted or deceived. God said in His word that he will not have us ignorant. (Romans 1:13) He’s given us everything that we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) this means we have power and tools to combat the enemy. God already reminded us that Satan is a defeated foe and the Son of God (Jesus) was sent to destroy the works of evil. (1 John 3:8)
So now that you’ve been reminded that there is a spiritual war going on, what do you do with what you know? Pray! Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) It is the fervent effective prayers of the righteous (believers) that avail. (James 5:16) This is a time that the church need to be humble, repent, turn from evil, and seek God to heal the land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Now is the time for intercessors to press in and to seek the face of God for intercession. Now is the time to seek God for the assignment He has given you individually for such a time as this. Pray for guidance in finding your place in all this. Pray for strategy to navigate this spiritual warfare. Prayer changes things. Prayer shift’s atmospheres. Prayer releases the heavenly armies of God to fight on our behalf.
One way for us to be victorious is by putting on the whole armor of God daily so that we can stand against the wiles (schemes) of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-20)
Another way is by not conforming to the pattern of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2) Your mind is renewed through the word of God. When you are aware of the word of God, you are reminded of who you are in Christ, what the agenda of the enemy is, and how to live in victory in the midst of trial and adversity.
Finally, walk by the spirit. (Galatians 5:25). If you live by the spirit, then you are to also walk by the spirit. Ask God to help you to be more sensitive to the spirit and to open your eyes to see things in the spiritual realm. Ask for discernment to be able to interpret and to relate events that are occurring in the natural realm to what is happening in the spiritual realm. As you become more aware of the spiritual realm, then you will become less distracted by what is happening in the natural realm and you will be prepared to war in the Spirit in order to shift what is happening in the natural.